Post Game 2 Manic Anxiety

by Seth Pollack on Apr 23, 2008 8:12 AM MDT in Phoenix Suns: Game Coverage

I went to bed last night deep in that special depression reserved for being dumped, fired or when your team loses a playoff game to a rival. I didn't wake up feeling any better.

Like I imagine most Suns fans are this morning, I am wildly vacillating between the hope that comes from knowing the next two games are at home and if we hold serve than we are right back in this (and we are still the better team) and the fact that despite all of our talent that this team continues to display the lack of mental focus and toughness that lead to being a sixth seed in the first place (and maybe we aren't the better team).

Despite the poise, creativity and solid play by the Spurs, I can't help but feel that we gave two games away. I expect Barbosa to fade this time of year. We all know that Diaw can shine for moments but isn't going to win us games. But how does Amare go 2 for 11 in the second half after one of the most dominating first halves of playoff basketball ever? That wasn't Spur's defense that caused him to miss wide open jumpers and free throws. That was lack of mental toughness. The very thing that Shaq was supposed to bring to the Suns.

For those so inclined there are still excuses to be used: Duncan traveled on his three. Nash had the flu. Grant's groin.

I am tired of excuses. This Spurs team is still very beatable. Both of those first two games were vey winnable. The Suns don't need new game plans to stop the pick and roll. They don't need new tricks or gimmicks to score.

The Suns need their coach and star players to not panic and to step up and show what they are made of. Unless they already have.

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Good News, Bad News -

You: Roger Federer, one of the best players in the world, if not the best. Exciting. Dynamic. Powerful. Frenetic. Hot and sexy.

Them: A practice wall. Just as boring and immovable as a wall too.

Who gonna win now??

by ZonaFlash on Apr 23, 2008 8:30 AM MDT reply actions 1 recs

lol, creativity

Yes, that was creative. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that tactic employed on Brian Skinner before!

I just loved the snippet from Pop about his not thinking that hack-a-shaq being a good stratagy. Uhm, yah. Hey, Coach Pop, wasn’t that hack-a-shaq started in the 3Q? Sheesh!

by KJ7 on Apr 23, 2008 10:03 AM MDT reply actions

I thought

the Roddick picture was meant to tell us that we got served.

by AZSEAfan on Apr 23, 2008 11:14 AM MDT up reply actions

Oops

Hit the wrong reply to this.

by AZSEAfan on Apr 23, 2008 11:16 AM MDT up reply actions

Its a Rorshack test

Its either “we got served” or “we need to hold serve”...it tells you what you are already thinking :)

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Seth Pollack on Apr 23, 2008 12:17 PM MDT up reply actions

Very tough to watch that one

Stan, you took the words right out of my mouth (or keyboard)—I had to force myself to watch that excruciating 4th quarter, although I didn’t really need to. We had the deep hole, followed by the inevitable frenetic rally that fell just short, killed by a turnover at the crucial moment. Then the aforementioned emotional funk, fitful sleep, and the next morning that brings not the relief of a fresh perspective, but the harsh reality of needing to win 4 of the next 5 against the Spurs.

I, too, am stuck between thinking it’s over or just a case of the home team holding sway. After Saturday, it was down but not out, but this is now a tall order, and nothing kooky really happened last night. Flat out, the Spurs just outplayed the Suns—no flopping, no blaming the refs, no Duncan face, and the Suns panicked a bit there in the 3rd when the lead slipped away.

Going to be a long wait until Friday.

by SoCalSun on Apr 23, 2008 10:33 AM MDT reply actions 1 recs

Long wait?

It’s getting really painful to watch this games. I’m thinking of maybe just watching the 4th quarter or skip the whole thing and find out on Saturday but I kind of know whats going to happen:

Suns get the early lead, Amare is a Monster, MVP bla bla bla
Suns have an 8 point lead at the Half
Suns get outscored and lose the lead, Amare does his vanishing act.
Suns Lose and keep saying that they are better than SA.

I too had a troubled sleep, my day is not getting any better at work. The Suns are in a position they are used to, against the wall.

"Basketball doesn't build character. It reveals it"

by PanamaSun on Apr 23, 2008 11:57 AM MDT up reply actions 1 recs

And I thought life in Panama was sweet and easy! =)

by ZonaFlash on Apr 23, 2008 12:05 PM MDT up reply actions

Well, good thing is

That I can go to the beach, Surf for a whole afternoon and come back as good as new. And I think I’m gonna have to do that if te Suns lose on friday. I don’t think they are the Red sox of basketball.

"Basketball doesn't build character. It reveals it"

by PanamaSun on Apr 23, 2008 12:36 PM MDT up reply actions

only because the Red Sox won already! =)

by ZonaFlash on Apr 23, 2008 1:14 PM MDT up reply actions

Never knew sports fandom could be so painful.

“I went to bed last night deep in that special depression reserved for being dumped, fired or when your team loses a playoff game to a rival. I didn’t wake up feeling any better.”

I agree. The feeling is terrible. If the Spurs had taken the lead early on and won the game it would have been better. But the fact that we played so beautifully in the first half and then sucked so badly makes it that much worse.

I have never known a pain this much that is a cause of a sports team. It’s unbelievable. I haven’t even read the recap or taken a look at the box score. Just can’t. I could hardly visit this site which I do after every game. I don’t even want to think of basketball.

Go suns.

by LitliG on Apr 23, 2008 12:58 PM MDT reply actions

Hang in there

that feeling will soon turn to hate and you can channel that in a productive manner here...

and of course this kind of group therapy can be helpful as well. Face the pain – don’t hide from it!

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Seth Pollack on Apr 23, 2008 1:42 PM MDT up reply actions

I’ve seen this movie way too many times. It begins with a technical not called in Game 5 of the Boston Garden, continues with a Gar Heard airball, has a twist with a Magic Johnson hook shot and validates the careers of men like John Paxson, Mario Elie, Brent Barry. I’m waiting for a different ending and have (at best) half my life left to get it.
The worst one yet? Problem is that as a Suns fan you have too many to choose from in that category. Worst loss? Worst villain? Worst choke? Worst call? Worst break?
Too much heartbreak.

Gar Heard was three years early.

by jerseysunsfan on Apr 24, 2008 12:56 AM MDT reply actions